It's a head scratcher for sure.  Where has the time gone?  It seems just like yesterday I was collaborating with a handful of folks about the idea of creating a volume second to none, a tribute to the Old North State like no one could have envisioned before.  It all be began when I was being raised on a farm by my Aunt Kate in Broadway, North Carolina back in the third grade.  I attended Boone Trail High School.  My mother recently took ill and Aunt Kate poured her love and affection all over me.  There was one major problem I had never lived on a farm before!  What left an indelible mark on me was her pantry.  Aunt Kate would preserve some of the most amazing fruits and vegetables from her garden to pass along to friends and family and to also enjoy during another season.

Her pantry, her preserves inspired the idea that an artist could do the same thing with unique personalities and icons of our state and preserve them for future generations to come.  The genesis for "Carolina Preserves" was born and now it was time to put together a team to pursue this vision.  Joy Ross who continues to be my invaluable associate and I began to formulate the talent that would help us fulfill this vision.  Cindy Adams and Jean Davison secured the 48 North Carolinians that would lend their stories to color the pages of this volume.  With contributors like, Richard Petty, Michael Jordan, Elizabeth Dole, Billy Graham, former Governors, award winning teachers, postal carriers to CEO's of Fortune 500 companies we amassed one of the most amazing group of individuals to share their stories with future generations.

At the same time Bill was criss crossing the state finding just the right subjects to compliment the authors stories and capture unique locales for "artist perspectives" to sprinkle throughout the book.  Two years in the making this 165 page volume is a fitting testament to one of the greatest places on earth to live.  North Carolina's heritage and charm is cataloged in this epic book with testaments from some of state finest daughters and sons that call it home.  Besides the production of this magnificent coffee table book, UNC TV stepped up and with funding from Bank of America created the very first High Definition program in our state.  "Carolina Preserves" was the title and today lives in the archives of the state's libraries and is available online for you to watch today.

 I thought I would take a moment and share some thoughts and share some inspiring images I created.  These are difficult times but they do not have to define us.  A good friend of mine, Ralph Marston writes daily inspiring prose.  I found this one particularly encouraging in light of our current circumstances.

Life will not unfold exactly the way you'd like it to. Of that you can be certain, no matter how much care and effort you put into arranging your affairs.

But that doesn't mean you must be unhappy when things fail to go your way. Indeed, your biggest disappointments can often, eventually, lead you to your most profound joys.

Here's a strategy you might want to consider. Take everything in stride.

Yes, plan, prepare, do the work, give your best. Then be thankful for the result, including all the unforeseen consequences.

Your fate won't ever be precisely the way you envisioned it. Still, it is yours, it is something, and you're better off living and enjoying it, than cursing it.

Let life be the way it has come to be. And let yourself find something good, useful, joyful, and thankful to do with every precious moment.

Wishing you the very best today, Bill

In many respects this winter has moved by rather quickly and I have to admit that on those chilly evenings a roaring fire and glass of chardonnay are quite the comfort.  But in particular the last few weeks we have had endless rain and indeed snow was forecast on the horizon.  

It's during that time that I take solace and relish my time in the Studio when I can simply imagine any place or season I care to be.  Hence I came across some earlier pics that I took of fruit trees in bloom and decided that I would usher springtime along if nothing more than in my studio!

This canvas is 36 inch square and has become one of my favorite sizes.  Their is something that forces me to be quite purposeful when I lay out the composition in a square format.  It has to be matter of fact and I enjoy that confrontation.  My background was fluid blending in a variety of hues of naples yellow, sap green, cobalt and sky blue with titanium white creating a delightful atmosphere.

Once dried the process of adding the skeleton of my tree with strokes that dragged along the canvas giving not only a delightful texture but a romantic pull and push trhoughout.  My blooming buds came next and here lies the key, feeling as if they were almost swaying in the wind.  Many where knocked down just before they became tacky with a large flat brush softening their edges with just a wisp of motion.

This played out for a couple of days until it all magically came together.  The irony upon its completion was that it was snowing outside!

A fitting tribute to the contrast of this colorful "Springtime Affair".

I recently had the opportunity to do a Keynote address and one of the items the buyer wanted me to share is how do I observe the world around us.   I immediately recalled an episode of "Hollywood comes to Mayberry".  Maybe you have seen it but one of the inspiring moments is when the film director was walking with Andy Griffith looking through is hands as if it were the lens of camera.  Andy was smitten with the idea and immediately began to apply the technique as he too was strolling through town.

In reality that's what we all need on occasions, a view finder.  Something that helps us to be less distracted and take a look at what is immediately in front of us.  As Andy began to look through his "camera hands" it simplified the world and gave specific measure to the subject in front of him.  As he began to pan around and look at objects the substance of the subject shown through like never before.

When I'm in the field often times I'm tempted to take a single perspective on the subject but on most occasions as I walk around the scene, view it from different angles I begin to see better compositions and additions to the subject that I might have overlooked if I merely settled for my first approach.  Getting low to the ground and taking a birds eye view are also strengths in finding uniques compositions to a signature painting.

Whether it is capturing a panorama from afar or a closeup that is just outside your window, never settle for the "first glance". Pause and take time to embrace the world around you.  You'll be amazed at just what you have been missing!

Watch the attached clip for a good chuckle.

Here are two paintings that I created from the Orchard at Altapss.  Two unique approaches of celebrating the beauty of the apple trees as they were in bloom.  The large one is called "Butterfly Social"  a glorious tribute to the beauty and strength of this 100 year old apple tree particularly as the butterflies dance all around.

The second one is titled "Butterfly Kisses" an intimate painting that is much simpler and entertains the eye singularly.

Two unique approaches to the same subject.

Tuesday December 3^rd, I arrived at Northwood Elementary School.  As I began to set up for a program that I was doing for Fourth and Fifth graders there was this huge wave of emotion that began to come over me.  First of all, it was nearly sixty years ago I was one of these children that would be let out of class to come and hear a program by an artist.

For me it began around the age of eight.  The dream of being an artist.  I was in the third grade at Boone Trail High School in Mamers, NC.  I had recently arrived in Harnett County when my Aunt and Uncles came to get me and my sister Elizabeth from a naval base in Newport, Rhode Island.  At the age of 36 my mother had a massive stroke and her siblings stepped in to care for us.

Growing up on a tobacco farm in Mamers was quite the contrast to the naval base I had come from. But Aunt Kate adopted me as her own and for the next few years I was exposed to a humble yet authentic lifestyle.

Insecurities did arise but art was a vehicle that allowed me to escape and dream my challenges away.  In third grade one of my teachers was so impressed with a crayon drawing I did of Mt. Fuji that she entered it into the NC State Fair.  To my shock and excitement it won first prize for best art for my age.   That was the beginning of it all.  

From there art was always a tool that I used for extra credit in school.  I would constantly illustrate and add drawings to my homework and reports.  I was never gifted academically but art, oh yeah, that was my talent and I leveraged it for a lifetime.

"It just takes time, Honey"

That was my message to these young admires.  The greatest teacher along life’s path are the mistakes you’re going to make.  Each and every day when I paint, I stumble, back up, cover up and then out of the midst of many strokes and washes the images I create begin evolve.  It’s magical but you can’t give up.  So many times we are almost on the forefront of success, it’s just one more step away if we will persist.   Another way put is, “It just takes time, Honey”.  Those were sound words of advice from my mom.   She was amazing, even after her debilitating stroke she persevered and had a wonderful life with many admires.

"Be a good listener"

My second bit of advice came from Pops.  He was a 21 year naval veteran that recognized being a good listener was the forefront to moving ahead in life.  How often do we give a glance during a conversation only to be preoccupied in our own world.  Such a shame when we have the opportunity to glean from a mentor.  It’s a valuable tip that I constantly remind myself to utilize.

"Remember where you come from"

Sound words from my Aunt Kate.  Ah, how often do we want to forget our past.  I know you might be saying I don’t want to look back on where I came from.  I too had that emotions but we do need to put a stake in the ground and reflect.  It helps to put life in perspective.  Roots are important as we build our family and career.  What was a challenging time during my early years led to one of my most popular books and film “Carolina Preserves”.  

In conclusion as the students where leaving I was asking if they enjoyed themselves and what there favorite part was.  A young lad in the fifth grade said "getting out of math class", that was my favorite part.  I think I add honesty to my list as well!